A Cultural History of the Atlantic World, 1250–1820

An overview of the history of the Atlantic Basin before 1830, describing interactions between the inhabitants of Africa, Europe and North and South America.

John K. Thornton (Author)

9780521727341, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 10 September 2012

562 pages, 16 b/w illus. 11 maps
23.4 x 15.5 x 3.3 cm, 0.79 kg

'His judgements are balanced, his narrative lucid … impressive.' History Today

A Cultural History of the Atlantic World, 1250–1820 explores the idea that strong links exist in the histories of Africa, Europe and North and South America. John K. Thornton provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the Atlantic Basin before 1830 by describing political, social and cultural interactions between the continents' inhabitants. He traces the backgrounds of the populations on these three continental landmasses brought into contact by European navigation. Thornton then examines the political and social implications of the encounters, tracing the origins of a variety of Atlantic societies and showing how new ways of eating, drinking, speaking and worshipping developed in the newly created Atlantic World. This book uses close readings of original sources to produce new interpretations of its subject.

Part I. The Atlantic Background: 1. The foundation of the Atlantic world, 1250–1600
Part II. Three Atlantic Worlds: 2. The European background
3. The African background
4. The American world, 1450–1700
Part III. The Nature of Encounter and its Aftermath: 5. Conquest
6. Colonization
7. Contact
Part IV. Culture Transition and Change: 8. Transfer and retention in language
9. Aesthetic change
10. Religious stability and change
11. The revolutionary moment in the Atlantic.

Subject Areas: History of the Americas [HBJK], General & world history [HBG], History [HB]